AN OPTICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A ONE-PIECE HOUSING

摘要

The present invention provides a connector for terminating an optical fiber. The connector comprises a one-piece housing, a ferrule assembly and an insert. T he insert has keys formed thereon that are adapted to mate with keyways formed in the housing. The housing has a first opening formed therein that first receives the ferrule assembly and then the insert and a second opening opposite the first opening. The end of the ferrule assembly that holds the end of the optical fiber protrudes through the secon d opening. The insert has a flange thereon that has two oppositely located flat surface s and two oppositely located keys. The keys each have a chamfered surface. The keys an d the flat surfaces of the flange provide the flange with a substantially rectangular cross-section. The first opening formed in the housing has a substantially square cross- section. When the insert is inserted into the first end of the housing, the substantially squa re cross-section of the opening aligns with the oppositely located flat surfaces of the flange t o thereby cause the keys of the flange to align with the keyways formed in the surfaces of t he housing. The chamfered surfaces of the keys deflect the sides of the housing outwardl y as the insert is inserted into the housing. The keys of the insert are then received bythe keyways formed in the housing to lock the insert into place within the housing.